Estimated Price: £30,000 - £40,000
After 41 years and with the end in sight, Rover decided to mark the classic Mini’s long life with a penultimate limited edition prior to the arrival of BMW’s new ‘MINI’. Following the popularity of the Sport Pack Minis offered from 1997 to 2000, the Mini Cooper Sport was introduced, with some 2,200 examples, including 1,000 right-hand drive cars, being built between March and October 2000. They were a totally separate model to earlier iterations, externally distinguishable by their muscular stance with flared wheel arches, 13" sports alloy wheels, four spot lamps and a Platinum coloured roof and bonnet stripes. The Sport also featured an updated interior with stylish nickel silver and black leather trim, drilled and polished alloy door and window handles, and a Sport dash in turned alloy silver and black finish.
This remarkable example has a lovely, wholesome story behind it and could not be presented in better order for its first time coming to public sale. Originally registered on 18th October 2000, this gorgeous Sport, one of just 267 finished in British Racing Green, is simply fascinating in all measurable ways.
It has covered just 60 miles from new in the hands of its one and only owner, having effectively never been used. From new, the car was placed into the owner’s integral double length garage, benefitting from ventilation at both ends and stored off the ground. The Mini was placed on axle stands to prevent flat spots on the tyres and was protected by a soft indoor cover with a breathable waterproof outer cover. For over two decades, these conditions proved to be exceptionally favourable and, for whatever reason, chance or happenstance, resulted in what can only be described as the most perfect storage outcome one could wish for. As a result, the car can only be described as being in ‘as new’ condition. It is not a barn find, it is not a project, it is an example that appears to have been transported through time.
The exterior presents exceptionally well, exactly as it left the factory, with original paint, trim and finishes throughout, down to the original factory stickers still being present on the wheels as supplied when new. There is no evidence of use, wear or age-related deterioration, entirely consistent with a car that has never been driven beyond its original delivery mileage. The interior is equally immaculate and untouched, retaining all the original trim, fittings and finishes, with no signs of wear to any contact surfaces.
Although the car has never been used, a careful and sympathetic engine recommissioning was carried out on 22nd January 2026 to ensure mechanical integrity. Prior to recommissioning, inspection cameras were utilised to ensure no damage or disturbance would be caused by the process. This work was fully invoiced and documented, and the internal condition of the engine proved to be equally box fresh, entirely consistent with the rest of the car.
The accompanying history file is expectedly relatively scarce due to the lack of usage, yet it includes the original sales invoice, original purchase receipts, the original handbook and the recommissioning invoice.
This outstanding time warp Mini is offered for sale following the passing of its original owner and represents a truly unique opportunity to acquire what is effectively a box fresh, as new Mini Cooper Sport. Descriptions such as time warp are often overused or applied generously, but in this case they could not be more accurate. This was not an investment decision or a deliberate preservation exercise from the outset, but a car that has been preserved by chance in exceptionally favourable storage conditions over more than two decades.
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